Before Spartacus became a household name, another slave leader made the Roman Republic shake in its sandals.
His name was Eunus—a Syrian slave, self-proclaimed prophet, and fire-breathing “King Antiochus” who crowned himself ruler of Sicily and led what may have been the largest slave uprising in ancient history.
Between 135 and 132 BC, over 200,000 slaves rose up, slaughtered their masters, captured cities, defeated multiple Roman armies, and held large parts of Sicily for almost four years.
This is the true story of the First Servile War—the revolt so shocking that Romans tried to forget it ever happened.
What Was the First Servile War?
The First Servile War (135–132 BC) was a massive slave uprising in Sicily led by Eunus, a Syrian slave-prophet, and Cleon, a Cilician horseman.
It is one of three “Servile Wars” recognized by ancient sources (the Third being Spartacus’ revolt in 73–71 BC).
Key facts at a glance:
- Location: Sicily (the breadbasket of Rome)
- Duration: 135–132 BC (approximately 3.5 years)
- Estimated rebel strength: 70,000–200,000+ (ancient sources vary)
- Roman commanders defeated: three praetors and one consul
- Outcome: Roman victory in 132 BC, mass crucifixions, but Sicily’s slave system permanently shaken
The Powder Keg: Sicily in 135 BC
To understand the explosion, you have to understand the bomb. In the 2nd Century BC, Sicily wasn’t a vacation spot; it was an industrial powerhouse. Rome had recently conquered Carthage, and the influx of wealth and slaves changed everything.
The Rise of the Latifundia
Rich Roman landowners bought up massive tracts of land, creating latifundia (mega-plantations). To work these fields, they imported hundreds of thousands of slaves from Syria, Cilicia, and Greece.
- The Conditions: Slaves were often branded, chained, and starved. Landowners found it cheaper to work a slave to death and buy a new one than to feed them properly.
- The Demographics: Unlike other regions, the slave population in Sicily vastly outnumbered the free citizens. It was a ticking time bomb.
Insight: The First Servile War is often cited by historians as the first major symptom of the Roman Republic’s decay. It highlighted the dangers of the massive wealth gap and the over-reliance on slave labor—issues that would plague Rome for centuries.
The Spark: Damophilus and Megallis
Every revolution has a tipping point. In the city of Enna (central Sicily), that tipping point was a man named Damophilus.
Damophilus was a wealthy landowner notorious not just for cruelty, but for creativity in his cruelty. He and his wife, Megallis, didn’t just starve their slaves; they beat them for sport. When a group of naked, starving slaves approached him asking for clothes, he famously sneered, “Do travelers not travel through the country naked? Does not nature give a ready supply of clothing to him who will take it?”
He was telling them to rob travelers. Instead, they decided to rob him of his life.
The slaves didn’t just want revenge; they wanted permission from the gods. So, they went to see the local “prophet.”
The Magician King: Who Was Eunus?
This is where history gets cinematic. The leader of this revolt wasn’t a general. He was a Syrian slave named Eunus.
Eunus was a house slave known for being a mystic. He claimed to see visions of the Syrian goddess Atargatis. He would entertain guests at dinner parties by breathing fire (using a walnut shell filled with burning material hidden in his mouth) and predicting the future.
His most common prediction? “One day, I will be a King.”
The Roman masters laughed at him. They even tipped him food for his “jokes.” But the slaves didn’t laugh. They believed.
When the angry mob from Damophilus’s estate came to Eunus, asking if the gods supported a revolt, Eunus breathed fire and gave the order: Attack.
The Slaughter at Enna
Overnight, 400 slaves stormed the city of Enna. The “House of Damophilus” was the first target. The revolt was brutal—a release of years of pent-up rage. Eunus was declared King, taking the name Antiochus (after the Syrian kings of his homeland).
He didn’t just lead a mob; he formed a government. He established a royal court, minted his own coins, and surprisingly, spared the men who were skilled at making weapons. He was building a state.
The War Expands: Cleon Joins the Fight
A revolt in Enna was a problem. But it became a war when another slave leader, Cleon, rose up in the city of Agrigentum.
Rome expected Cleon to fight Eunus for power. Instead, in a shocking display of unity, Cleon bowed to Eunus, serving as his general.
- The Numbers: Ancient sources like Diodorus Siculus claim the slave army grew to 200,000 men and women. Even conservative modern estimates put the number at over 70,000 active combatants.
- The Tactics: They didn’t fight like a legion. They used guerilla warfare, holding the fortified cities of Enna and Tauromenium (modern Taormina).
Rome’s Embarrassment
For three years, the slaves humiliated Rome. The Senate sent Praetor after Praetor to crush the rebellion, and one by one, the Roman armies were defeated. The slaves were fighting for their lives; the Roman soldiers were just fighting for a paycheck.
The situation became so dire that Rome famously had to ask its neighbors for grain because Sicily—the empire’s breadbasket—was no longer exporting food.
The Fall: Betrayal and Gravity
By 132 BC, Rome had had enough. The Senate dispatched Consul Publius Rupilius with a massive legionary force. He knew he couldn’t chase the slaves through the mountains. He had to starve them out.
The Siege of Tauromenium
Rupilius surrounded the fortress city of Tauromenium. The siege was horrific. Historical records state that the defenders were reduced to cannibalism to survive.
Eventually, the city didn’t fall to force; it fell to betrayal. A Syrian guard named Sarapion betrayed the citadel to the Romans in exchange for safety. The Romans slaughtered the survivors.
The End of the Magician King
The Romans then moved to Enna. Cleon, the general, died fighting heroically in battle. Eunus, the King, fled with his bodyguards to a cave.
In a tragic end to his reign, Eunus was captured alive. He wasn’t executed immediately—Rome wanted to make an example of him. He was dragged to a prison in Morgantina, where the man who claimed he would be King died of disease, eaten by lice in a dark cell.
Why It Matters (The Legacy)
The First Servile War is often overlooked, but it set the template for the Second Servile War and the Third Servile War (Spartacus).
It proved that the Roman machine was vulnerable. It showed that when you treat humans like cattle, eventually, the herd will stampede.
Crucially, Rome didn’t learn the lesson. They crushed the revolt, crucified thousands, and went right back to the latifundia system. It was this arrogance that would eventually lead to the collapse of the Republic less than a century later.
First vs Second vs Third Servile War – Quick Comparison
| War | Years | Leader(s) | Location | Peak Strength | Roman Commander | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Servile War | 135–132 BC | Eunus & Cleon | Sicily | 70–200k+ | P. Rupilius | Roman victory, mass crucifixion |
| Second Servile War | 104–100 BC | Salvius & Athenion | Sicily | ~40,000 | Manius Aquillius | Roman victory |
| Third Servile War | 73–71 BC | Spartacus | Italy | ~120,000 | M. Crassus | Roman victory, 6,000 crucified |
💡 First Servile War FAQs
Q: What was the First Servile War?
A: The First Servile War (135–132 BC) was a massive slave rebellion against the Roman Republic on the island of Sicily. Led by a slave-prophet named Eunus and his general Cleon, nearly 200,000 slaves rose up against their masters, seizing major cities before being crushed by the Roman military.
Q: Who was Eunus in the First Servile War?
A: Eunus was a Syrian slave who claimed to be a prophet and magician. He became the leader of the revolt, declaring himself “King Antiochus.” He was known for a trick where he appeared to breathe fire and was the spiritual and political head of the uprising.
Q: What caused the First Servile War?
A: The primary cause was the severe mistreatment of slaves on Sicilian latifundia (large plantations). Wealthy Roman landowners starved and beat their slaves, leading to a boiling point. The specific spark was the cruelty of a landowner named Damophilus in the city of Enna.
Q: How did the First Servile War end?
A: The war ended in 132 BC when the Roman Consul Publius Rupilius besieged the slave strongholds of Tauromenium and Enna. Through starvation and betrayal, the cities fell. Thousands of slaves were crucified, and Eunus was captured and died in prison.
Q: What is the difference between the First Servile War and Spartacus?
A: The First Servile War (135 BC) took place in Sicily and was led by Eunus. The Third Servile War (73 BC) took place on the Italian mainland and was led by the gladiator Spartacus. The First War involved more participants but is less famous in pop culture.
Q: What role did Cleon play in the revolt?
A: Cleon was a Cilician slave and a brilliant military leader. While Eunus was the “King” and spiritual leader, Cleon served as the general of the slave armies. He died fighting the Romans during the final siege of Enna.
Q: How many slaves fought in the First Servile War?
A: Ancient historian Diodorus Siculus estimated the number at 200,000, though modern historians believe the number of actual combatants was likely around 60,000 to 70,000—still a massive force that outnumbered the Roman legions in Sicily.
Q: What does “Servile War” mean?
A: The term comes from the Latin Bellum Servile, derived from servus (slave). It literally translates to “War of the Slaves.”
📚 Authoritative Sources & Further Reading
To ensure the highest level of accuracy and trust (E-E-A-T), this article utilizes data from the following academic and historical authorities:
- The University of Chicago (Penelope Project) – Diodorus Siculus:
- Source Authority: Academic Institution (.edu)
- Context: Provides the translated text of Diodorus Siculus (Books 34/35), the primary ancient source for the conflict.
- Link: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/
- Britannica – The Servile Wars:
- Source Authority: Major Encyclopedia
- Context: Verified timelines and military movements of the Roman Republic.
- Link: https://www.britannica.com/event/Servile-Wars
- Livius.org – Articles on Ancient History:
- Source Authority: Recognized Historical Database
- Context: Detailed analysis of Sicilian slave agriculture and the latifundia system.
- Link: https://www.livius.org/articles/war/servile-wars/
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Eunus and Cleon’s leadership highlights how their rallying of 20,000 enslaved people challenged Roman authority, revealing vulnerabilities within the empire. It’s intriguing to see how a revolt rooted in social upheaval had such a significant impact, emphasizing the broader consequences of marginalized populations resisting oppression. The mention of the rebellion’s strategic successes, like city sacking and legions’ confrontation, underscores its importance in ancient history, often overlooked in mainstream narratives. This story reminds us how fueled by desperation and hope, even the most oppressed can temporarily shift the balance of power.